The skies are brewing a tempestuous symphony, as the Meteorological Department raises the red flag over the southern region’s horizon. Batten down the hatches, for a formidable series of thunderstorms is set to descend from Thursday through Saturday, promising not just rain but a veritable deluge accompanied by fierce winds and tumultuous seas. Picture it: heavy, roiling clouds marching resolutely across the sky like a legion on a stormy crusade. The atmosphere crackles with anticipation, as 12 of the 14 provinces lining the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea brace themselves for nature’s exhilarating show of force. Only the resilient provinces of Ranong and Phuket stand exempt from nature’s unrelenting tour de force. The sea itself seems to conspire with the tempest, readying to rise in uproarious waves cresting at a lofty two meters, a grand performance of power and unpredictability. Meanwhile, the solid earth could betray its inhabitants,…
Posts published in “Thailand”
In the bustling heart of Bangkok, where streets pulse with energy akin to the city’s unyielding spirit, democracy itself is under intense scrutiny. Within the hallowed chambers of Thailand’s political sphere, the discourse is not a mere whisper; it’s a full-blown discussion surrounding the potential shifts in constitutional amendments that could redefine the nation’s democratic framework. Amid this intense political ballet, Witthaya Kaewparadai, a list-MP with the United Thai Nation party, has emerged as a voice of reason, advocating for what he dubs a “middle path.” As MPs and Senators passionately debate the threshold required to sanction a referendum for amending the constitution, Witthaya’s stance echoes sage counsel: if you’re going to call it a referendum, make sure it’s robust enough to warrant the name. Witthaya, a participant in the joint House-Senate committee attempting to unfurl this legislative knot, underscores the necessity of having at least half of all eligible…
As the bustling city of Baku, Azerbaijan, played host to the COP29 conference, the world once again focused its attention on the urgent need for climate action. On November 19, in this atmospheric backdrop, Thailand’s Natural Resources and Environment Minister, Chalermchai Sri-on, took to the podium with a message of renewed commitment and resolve. Highlighted by lively exchanges and intense negotiations, the conference has been buzzing with delegates strategizing ways to tackle climate challenges, all amidst the charming allure of Baku’s vibrant culture. Acknowledging past challenges and looking forward to future ambitions, Mr. Chalermchai sounded both a warning and a rallying cry. Even as the nation has been striving to meet its obligations under the 2015 Paris Agreement, the latest assessments reveal that Thailand, along with other nations, has been struggling to keep the planet’s warming below the critical threshold of 1.5 degrees Celsius over pre-industrial levels. With a palpable…
The scene was reminiscent of a high-stakes drama featuring none other than the bustling streets of Bangkok as the central location and the city’s administration team as the main characters. Late Tuesday night, in a surprising twist, City Hall workers found themselves busily restoring a traffic lane previously designated for bicycles on the well-trodden Sukhumvit Soi 39. The transformation was captured in a photograph by the BMA Traffic and Transportation Department, marking the closure of a rather chaotic chapter. The decision came after the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) faced the music and issued a heartfelt apology to locals. Just a day earlier, the lane had been heroically closed off to car traffic in favor of a dedicated bicycle lane. The result? An epic tale of congestion that many would prefer to forget—unless, of course, they were spectators watching from afar, amused by the unfolding transportation ballet. Bangkok’s governor, Mr. Chadchart…
In the bustling heart of Bangkok lies the storied Supachalasai National Stadium, a grand old dame whose roots stretch back to 1938. An epicenter of both sporting action and musical enchantment, it once thrived as a haven for enthusiastic crowds of 19,600 sports fanatics and up to 30,000 concert-goers. It stands nestled in the bustling environs of Rama I Road, its legacy etched in the annals of time like a fine vintage enduring the ages. Not just a mere venue, the stadium is a custodian of memories, capturing the essence of times gone by and the promise of what is yet to come. Recently, whispers have emerged from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports envisioning a metamorphosis for this iconic edifice. As future possibilities unfurl, the grand old stadium may soon pivot from its classical roots to embrace a new avatar – a premier concert venue. As the sands of…
Under the bustling skies of Udon Thani, November 14 marked yet another significant moment in the ever-transparent political landscape of Thailand. Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister and a name that refuses to slip quietly into the annals of history, took to the campaign trail once more. He was lending his support, or as some speculate, his ‘star power,’ to the Pheu Thai candidate running for the Provincial Administration Organisation’s top seat in an election slated for November 24. A photo shared by the Pheu Thai Party captured this vivid scene—Thaksin amidst the fervor of political rallying, proving that time and distance have done little to dilute his appeal or sway. Yet, as with most things in the realm of politics, controversy is never too far behind. Enter Maris Sangiampongsa, the cautious Foreign Affairs Minister, who on a rather breezy Wednesday decided to downplay the whispers fluttering around Thaksin’s involvement.…
In a somber but urgent development from the vibrant land of delectable street food and peaceful temples, Thailand has reported its first homegrown case of a vaping-related illness that has health authorities braced for more. With the electronic cigarette market’s steam blowing harder than a Bangkok boat noodle vendor, a 32-year-old man from the rustic province of Buri Ram finds himself at the unfortunate forefront of this alarming health alert. Diagnosed with Evali, a sinister-sounding acronym that stands for E-cigarette or Vaping Product Use-Associated Lung Injury, the case has the Ministry of Public Health on high alert. The victim, whose lungs seem to have staged a revolt against his vaping habit, was admitted to a local hospital with rather dramatic symptoms: coughing up blood rapidly escalated into a severe and acute case of pneumonia, according to Dr. Chayanan Sittibusaya, the diligent helmsman of the Division of Tobacco Product Control. “It’s…
In the sun-drenched fields of Suphan Buri province, a scene unfolds that’s as timeless as rice itself. Farmers toiling under the open sky amidst vast expanses of lush green paddies are a testament to both the tradition and challenges of rice cultivation. But change is simmering under the surface, akin to the slow and steady rhythm of water on paddy fields. In an effort to unburden these hardworking farmers, the government is on the cusp of scrapping a longstanding fertiliser co-payment scheme. This plan, according to Agriculture Minister Narumon Pinyosinwat, aims to slash the harvest costs that weigh heavily on rice farmers’ shoulders. With proposals flying faster than sparrows, the sub-committee tasked with revamping the scheme is expected to hand in their report to the National Rice Policy Committee next week. From there, it’s onward to the cabinet, and with any luck, garnering swift approval. The existing fertiliser scheme left…
In a gripping legal saga that has captured the public’s imagination, Sararat “Aem Cyanide” Rangsiwuthaporn stands at the heart of a chilling case that unfolds like a dark thriller. The Criminal Court has sentenced this 37-year-old woman to the death penalty, accused of orchestrating a lethal dance with potassium cyanide that victimized 14 lives and sealed the fate of one close friend in a murder that shocked the nation. The details of this harrowing tale emerged during the court proceedings on a fateful Wednesday. Sararat was found guilty of an unforgivable crime—murdering her friend, Siriporn Khanwong, 32, during what was supposed to be a tranquil merit-making trip by the Mae Klong River, in the heartland of Ban Pong District, Ratchaburi. It was mid-April of 2023, a day meant for reflection and goodwill. Yet, for Siriporn, it tragically ended at the riverbanks. The court’s narrative paints a grim picture. Sararat’s lack…
Recently, at the bustling COP29 held in the charming city of Baku, Azerbaijan, Gloyta Nathalang, the dynamic force behind Bangchak Corporation’s Sustainability Management and Corporate Communications, alongside her role as Chairperson of the innovative Carbon Markets Club, embarked on an energetic journey into the heart of the ASEAN carbon market. Amid a whirlwind of high-level discussions, Gloyta’s presence was not just noticed–it was unforgettable. She graced two imperative side event panels, radiating the importance of regional synergy and technological prowess in spearheading sustainable evolution. On a pivotal day, November 18, 2024, the energy in the Malaysia Pavilion reached its zenith as Gloyta inked her name on a Memorandum of Collaboration (MoC), a pact supporting the ambitious ASEAN Common Carbon Framework (ACCF). This framework aspires to weave a strong fabric of standards, advancing efficient and transparent carbon credit trading, thereby paving a green highway to a low-carbon economy throughout the ASEAN…